2 quotes and 2 different size thickness for 300g acrylic tank

[DogueDeBordeaux]

I have 2 quotes for a 96"L x 30"W x 25"T
one builders quote is for all sides and top and bottom 3/4"
the other builder quote is 3/4" sides and 1/2" top and bottom.

Both builders has positive feedback on RC. The all 3/4" sides quote is $600 more. Is it really needed for all sides top and bottom to be 3/4"?
The builder that quoted 3/4" body and 1/2" top and bottom said there will be no bowing.

Wanting some thoughts before I call and talk with the builder.

 

[Brian Peterson]

Personally I would run and not walk away from someone telling you that .5" thick acrylic will not bow at 96" in length?!?! And wouldn't have one built out of that thin of material no matter what the savings. Just my 2cents though. Good luck!

 

[Brian Peterson]

oops my bad. I should have read that better the first time. Even .75" thick seems marginal at 96" in length. I would think you would still get some deflection at that length. But I am a glass guy for tanks and acrylic for sumps. Sorry for the initial post on my error thinking sides were .5"

 

[geaux xman]

i know a poster with a 120"L 30"Tall 600g that told me 3/4" is fine.

i had gotten a quote for a 84x33x28". even though 3/4" is adequate, if i do build it in the future, i'm going with 1" acrylic for $400 more than 3/4" all around. i have fish that cost that much and they could die anytime, so no point in skimping out on the tank that will last for a very very long time.

 

[T.MONEY]

I think you will be fine with 3/4" at the most, If its cell cast acrylic and not cheap crap then you might be fine with 1/5" with proper bracing on the top. Mine is built with 1/2" everywhere and not one place bows at all! Granted my tank is shorter and very wide but the length shouldn't matter if you brace the top correctly. The guy who built my tanks ships around the country I believe, and was amazingly cheap for what i needed, has amazing quality and knows what he's talking about. He's been working with acrylic for over 10 years.

just my .02

 

[Subie]

Personally I would run and not walk away from someone telling you that .5" thick acrylic will not bow at 96" in length?!?! And wouldn't have one built out of that thin of material no matter what the savings. Just my 2cents though. Good luck!

The OP mentioned that the top and bottom are 0.5" but the sides are .75" if I read and understand it correctly. The bottom would be supported and the top would not really bear much load if at all.

I have a similar setup (300g, 96"x24"x30"), and I do not see any bowing. The tank has been up and running for about a year now.

 

[jjk_reef00]

I'm thinking about these exact dimensions, can you give me a ball park figure about what they are asking? Pm me if you don't want to post.